COMM-599: Online Communities, Markets and Attention

Mondays, 6:45-9:45 PM, ASC 230, Professor: John C. Beck, E-mail: johnbeck "at" aol "dot" com
Course Objectives:

This course is designed to be an introduction to the phenomenon of online communities. These communities are growing rapidly and affecting everything from dating rituals to purchasing power. Online communities will be an ever more influential part of the way we communicate and organize as a society and as a species. They deserve a closer look into how they were formed, what directions they take and how they capture humanity’s collective attention. An intense study of several different online communities will take place during the semester, followed by a final project.
Requirements:

The texts for the course will primarily consist of newspapers and academic journal articles, which will be posted online. We may also show additional media in class to enrich our discussions.
Grading Components:

In-Class Participation (10%): Students are required to participate vocally in class discussions, email or post articles relevant to the upcoming topic or participate in discussion threads as they are made available.

Writing Assignments (20%): Each week, students are expected to submit 4 to 6 paragraph writing assignments. I am looking for both quantity and quality (novel insights that build on the ideas of other or inspire great thoughts among your classmates).

Online Community Creation (40%): In the final project, teams of three to four students will work to create an online community around some interest of their own. This should be a community that at least one member of the team has an interest in continuing after the class is over. Or it can be designed and implemented for some other person or organization that intends to keep the online community going after this course. Teams will be graded on originality, ability to attract and keep attention, and the “networking” nexus that is formed among members of the community. Blind assessments of the “community” will be an important part of the grading on this assignment.

Final Paper (10%): In a concise 8-10 page paper, each team of students will compare their experiences in creating the online community to the readings and class discussions that have taken place. This is meant to be an academic treatment of the subject.

Final Presentation (10%): On the last meeting day, each team will give a 10-15 minute presentation about the experience of creating and maintaining an online community. I expect the teams to discuss their decision-making process in launching the site in the first place; their experience in building a community; and the difficulties and successes they’ve had in maintaining that community over time. This is meant to be a very practical treatment of the subject.

Peer Grading (10%): Students will assess the performance of their teammates in creating their online community.

Calendar:

 See Class Schedule
Academic Integrity Policy: The USC Annenberg School for Communication is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic excellence. It endorses and follows the policies and procedures of the University Conduct Code as indicated in the SCampus. It is particularly important that you avoid plagiarism, cheating on exams, forging another student’s signature on the attendance form or submitting a paper authored by anyone other than yourself as your own. If you have any questions about these practices, confer with a faculty member.
Academic Resources: Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a disability is required to register with Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter of verification for approved accommodations can be obtained from DSP. Please be sure the letter is delivered to me (or to TA) as early in the semester as possible. DSP is located in STU 301 and is open 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The phone number for DSP is (213) 740-0776. Please submit testing accommodation form to me (or to your TA) at least two weeks prior to your exam.
Note: Due to room capacity restrictions, visitors will not be permitted without prior approval. All requests must be submitted by e-mail at least one week in advance.